575-fs passively mode-locked Yb:CaF₂ ceramic laser*

Abstract

A Yb-doped CaF2 transparent ceramics was successfully fabricated by the hot-pressed method and its laser characteristics were studied. A broad tuning performance and mode-locked laser operation were demonstrated in this ceramics for the first time, to our best knowledge. A 60-nm continuous-wavelength tunable laser from 1019 nm to 1079 nm was obtained with a birefringent filter. By employing a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror without additional dispersion compensation elements, a continuous-wave mode-locked laser with pulse duration as short as 575 fs was delivered, at a central wavelength of 1048.5 nm. The oscillator is operated under a repetition rate of 55 MHz. These results indicate that the Yb:CaF2 transparent ceramics is an ideal candidate for the development of ultrafast lasers in the near-infrared regime.

Synthesis of SrF2:Yb:Er ceramic precursor powder by co-precipitation from aqueous solution with different fluorinating media: NaF, KF and NH4F

“…The development of a technology for producing optical fluoride ceramics from powder is a key achievement in optical materials science. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] One of the major challenges in obtaining optical ceramics is the quality of the starting powder for pressing. The concept of powder quality involves a large list of parameters: particle size distribution, particle morphology, specific surface area, acid-base properties of the surface, and adsorption of trace impurities on the surface of particles.…”

A Sub-Picosecond Laser System Based on High-Energy Yb:YAG Chirped-Pulse Regenerative Amplification

“…Consequently, it is particularly suitable for thin-disk laser configurations. Yb:CaF 2 (Ytterbium-doped Calcium Fluoride) [12,13] offers a broad emission bandwidth, making it well-suited for tunable and ultrafast lasers. Additionally, its low phonon energy minimizes non-radiative decay.…”

Yb:CaF2–YF3 transparent ceramics ultrafast laser at dual gain lines

“…[21][22][23][24][25][26][27] On account of above advantages, ceramics are expected to be a powerful alternative to crystals, which may rise to the occasion of ultrafast and high-power lasers. [28,29] However, even at low doping concentration, Yb 3+ ions easily form clusters in CaF 2 host, which can reduce the luminescence capabilities and quantum efficiency. Introducing buffer ions into CaF 2 to manipulate the spectral properties can effectively solve this problem.…”